Venezuela tensions high after congressional brawl

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CARACAS — Tens of thousands of Venezuelans filled the streets of the capital Wednesday in rival marches by the opposition and the government less than a day after a brawl on the floor of Congress injured several opposition lawmakers.

Opposition candidate Henrique Capriles walked in a crowd of supporters through upscale neighborhoods in the east of Caracas during a march to celebrate International Workers’ Day.

He called for an end to a government crackdown on his backers and reiterated plans to challenge his narrow election loss in both Venezuela’s court and the international justice system.

In downtown Caracas, the government held its own march, featuring songs praising President Nicolas Maduro and his mentor, late president Hugo Chavez. Both sides appeared to be trying to avoid confrontation by choosing separate locations.